Editorial - Instead of bullying children fleeing violence, put blame where it belongs

Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 9:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 9:18 p.m.

As a nation, this is not our finest moment.

More than 50,000 unaccompanied children younger than 18 – the majority of them fleeing violence, abuse and poverty in their Central American nations – have shown up on our border with Mexico, creating a humanitarian crisis of the sort usually seen in war-torn parts of the world. Our leaders have failed to anticipate and to make any serious effort to deal with the situations in the border camps, while blaming each other for the lack of a rational immigration policy.

Closer to home, the Brunswick County Commissioners joined the fray on Monday, unanimously approving a resolution opposing any effort to resettle these children in North Carolina.

Meanwhile, these children, many of whom were sent north by their parents hoping to spare their offspring the horrors of violence-torn regions of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, are being held in cramped camps or other temporary housing, their fate in limbo.

These kids, alone and far from home, are often met by angry protesters and cries of "Go home." Away from the borders, Americans angrily cast blame on the president, Congress and the children.

The first two are fair targets; neither Congress nor President Obama and his administration have worked hard enough toward a serious, rational immigration policy. And the administration was warned as much as two years ago about the growing crisis, although Obama is now asking for $3.7 billion in emergency aid to care for the border kids.

But blaming children for running from horrors we cannot even imagine toward what they see as a safe haven is blaming the victims for the crime. Nearly 7,000 of these unaccompanied children are 12 and younger.

The first order of business must be to ensure that these children who arrived at our doorstep are housed in humane conditions, fed and provided medical care if they need it. And we must work with what passes for governments in their native Central American countries to ensure that we are not sending them back to be slaughtered, abused, starved or pressed into gangs. Why? Because they are children, and we are members of the human race.

Many Americans have embraced that role, and some governors have tentatively offered to house some of the refugees – and let's be clear, they are refugees, fleeing a different kind of war.

Even Glenn Beck, the firebrand of the political right, put down his caustic microphone long enough to help bring $2 million in food, supplies and toys to churches organizing relief efforts – not because he supports an open-door policy (he doesn't), but because he and others recognize that it's possible to demonstrate kindness toward these young victims even while vigorously objecting to the policies, or lack thereof, that led to this crisis.

Hate the situations that brought these children here. Fulminate against politicians who shirk their duty in favor of ranting against the opposition but doing nothing to solve the problem. Demand action. But show some compassion for the children.

<p>As a nation, this is not our finest moment. </p><p>More than 50,000 unaccompanied children younger than 18 – the majority of them fleeing violence, abuse and poverty in their Central American nations – have shown up on our border with Mexico, creating a humanitarian crisis of the sort usually seen in war-torn parts of the world. Our leaders have failed to anticipate and to make any serious effort to deal with the situations in the border camps, while blaming each other for the lack of a rational immigration policy.</p><p>Closer to home, the Brunswick County Commissioners joined the fray on Monday, unanimously approving a resolution opposing any effort to resettle these children in North Carolina.</p><p>Meanwhile, these children, many of whom were sent north by their parents hoping to spare their offspring the horrors of violence-torn regions of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, are being held in cramped camps or other temporary housing, their fate in limbo. </p><p>These kids, alone and far from home, are often met by angry protesters and cries of "Go home." Away from the borders, Americans angrily cast blame on the president, Congress and the children.</p><p>The first two are fair targets; neither Congress nor President Obama and his administration have worked hard enough toward a serious, rational immigration policy. And the administration was warned as much as two years ago about the growing crisis, although Obama is now asking for $3.7 billion in emergency aid to care for the border kids.</p><p>But blaming children for running from horrors we cannot even imagine toward what they see as a safe haven is blaming the victims for the crime. Nearly 7,000 of these unaccompanied children are 12 and younger.</p><p>The first order of business must be to ensure that these children who arrived at our doorstep are housed in humane conditions, fed and provided medical care if they need it. And we must work with what passes for governments in their native Central American countries to ensure that we are not sending them back to be slaughtered, abused, starved or pressed into gangs. Why? Because they are children, and we are members of the human race.</p><p>Many Americans have embraced that role, and some governors have tentatively offered to house some of the refugees – and let's be clear, they are refugees, fleeing a different kind of war. </p><p>Even Glenn Beck, the firebrand of the political right, put down his caustic microphone long enough to help bring $2 million in food, supplies and toys to churches organizing relief efforts – not because he supports an open-door policy (he doesn't), but because he and others recognize that it's possible to demonstrate kindness toward these young victims even while vigorously objecting to the policies, or lack thereof, that led to this crisis.</p><p>Hate the situations that brought these children here. Fulminate against politicians who shirk their duty in favor of ranting against the opposition but doing nothing to solve the problem. Demand action. But show some compassion for the children.</p>